MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has arrested a Dunnellon man accused of 16 charges of sexual crimes.

On May 13, MCSO deputies responded to a report of a sex offense between 35-year-old Jeremy Allen Stantz and a 12-year-old victim.

Deputies say they collected the victim’s cellphone for digital forensic extraction.

Detectives reviewed the phone and say messages were found between Stantz and the victim. According to MCSO, the messages contained images depicting child sexual abuse material, along with evidence that Stanz had sexually battered the victim.

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As detectives reviewed the phone, they received information that Stantz wanted to turn himself in.

Authorities then responded to 20210 SE 141st Ln., in Umatilla, to transport Stantz to the MCSO Criminal Investigations Division for an interview.

During the interview, detectives say Stantz initially denied that he had done anything wrong, claiming that he viewed the juvenile victim as a “daughter.”

Detectives then confronted Stantz with the evidence they had received from their messages.

Shortly thereafter, they say Stantz admitted to sending the sexually explicit messages to the victim.

Authorities placed Stantz under arrest and transported him to the Marion County Jail.

He is currently charged with:

  • Lewd or Lascivious Battery on a Child between 12 and 16 Years of Age
  • Harmful Communication to a Minor
  • Using a Computer to Solicit a Child
  • Four counts of Directing a Sexual Performance by a Child
  • Nine counts of Possession of Child Pornography

Stantz has no set bond.

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